Diesel prices near $6.52 a gallon roil Republicans ahead of midterms
Record diesel costs tied to the widening Middle East war split the GOP over an export ban Trump has endorsed but his energy secretary rejects.
What to know
- Diesel prices rose 73% to $6.52 a gallon since the war with Iran began, per AAA data cited by AP.
- Republicans in Iowa and Michigan are pushing to ban U.S. diesel exports to increase domestic supply, a move Trump says he backs.
- The Energy Secretary and Treasury Secretary say the administration is not pursuing a full export ban, splitting Republicans like Grassley (for) from colleagues in fuel-producing states.
- Democratic candidates in Kansas and Virginia are using diesel prices and the war's economic fallout as a midterm campaign issue.
“Iran is no further from acquiring a nuclear weapon. And Iran's proxy groups, such as the Houthis in Yemen, are now expanding the footprint.”
Elaine Luria, Democratic House candidate, Virginia · Associated Press ↗ · Sep 22
Donald Trump President
Chuck Grassley U.S. Senator (R-Iowa)
Chris Wright U.S. Energy SecretaryAshley Hinton U.S. Representative, Iowa Senate candidateAdam Hamilton Democratic Senate candidate, Kansas
Elaine Luria Democratic House candidate, Virginia
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles
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Democratic candidates campaign on diesel price pain
Democratic candidates Adam Hamilton in Kansas and Elaine Luria in Virginia highlight soaring diesel costs and the war's economic fallout to attack Republican incumbents.
“A war has sent up the price of diesel. These guys said, 'We don't know if we're going to keep the farm.'”
— Adam Hamilton -
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Energy Secretary Wright rules out a "blanket ban"
Speaking at a climate conference in New York, Chris Wright said the administration is not pursuing a full halt to diesel exports, tempering Trump's earlier remarks.
“nobody wants a full blanket ban of zero exports of diesel, that's not what's being discuss…”
— Chris Wright -
background
Diesel hits $6.52 a gallon, up 73% since war began — AAA data cited in AP reporting shows diesel at $6.52 Wednesday, up from $3.77 before the war with Iran started, as the conflict intensifies and disrupts fuel markets.
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background
Grassley emerges as leading champion of export ban — Sen. Chuck Grassley pushes hardest for the ban, dismissing objections from colleagues in fuel-producing states, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he is open to the idea.
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background
Trump says he backs ending diesel exports — Trump told reporters Tuesday he supports the export ban idea, aligning with Iowa and Michigan Republicans, even as his own administration weighs how to lower prices.
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background
Republicans in Iowa, Michigan push to end diesel exports — Republican candidates in key midterm states call for halting exports of U.S.-refined diesel to boost domestic supply and ease pump prices.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by Orlando Sentinel, 7h ago · also Baltimore Sun, Mercury News, Associated Press